Royal Holloway scores by subject
From Royal Holloway's English language requirements page. Certificates must be issued no more than two years before the course starts. One year of bachelor's-level study in a majority English-speaking country can also count.
| Subject and level | IELTS | PTE Academic | Duolingo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science (UG and PGT) | 6.5, no subscore lower than 5.5 | 67, no subscore lower than 59 | 120, no sub-score below 100 |
| Business, Law, Economics, English (UG) | 6.5, 6 in Writing, 5.5 in each subscore | 67, 63 in writing, 59 in others | 120; Literacy and Production 115, others 100 |
| Business, Law, Economics, English (PGT) | 6.5, no subscore lower than 6.0 | 67, no subscore lower than 63 | 120, no sub-score below 115 |
| Biological Sciences (PGT) | 6.5, Writing 7.0, others 5.5 | 67, Writing 71, others 59 | 120; Literacy and Production 135, others 100 |
| MSc Occupational Therapy | 7.0, no sub-score below 6.5 | 71, no sub-score lower than 67 | 130, no sub-score below 125 |
| All research degrees | 6.5, Writing 7.0, others 5.5 | 67, Writing 71, others 59 | 120; Literacy and Production 135, others 100 |
Indian applicants and medium of instruction
Royal Holloway's India page accepts Class 12 English at 70% for undergraduate and taught master's study and 80% for research degrees. It says the undergraduate result is valid for 2 years, then that both are valid for 5 years, so confirm the time limit with admissions.
It also accepts a bachelor's or master's from listed Indian universities as proof of English for three years after the degree ends: Anna, Ashoka, IISc Bangalore, IIT Bombay, Delhi, Kanpur, Kharagpur and Madras, IIM Ahmedabad, OP Jindal, Shoolini, SRM, Calcutta, Delhi, Kerala, Mumbai, Bennett and Amity.
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Royal Holloway's Pakistan page lists nine universities whose degrees it accepts as proof of English: Punjab Lahore, Bahria, NUST, Quaid-i-Azam, FAST NUCES, Karachi, IBA Karachi, Lahore School of Economics and LUMS. A paragraph lower on the same page names four for postgraduates, including Greenwich University Karachi, which is not in the list. The two statements conflict, so confirm with admissions.
The Nigeria page says a bachelor's completed in Nigeria may automatically meet the requirement for postgraduate degrees. The Bangladesh page gives no exemption, and a WAEC or Nepal route is not stated by Royal Holloway.
Pre-sessional English, deposits and the Student visa
Royal Holloway's pre-sessional programme runs online with Study Group for 12, 10 or 6 weeks at £350 a week. For a degree needing 6.5 with 5.5, entry is IELTS 5.5 (4.5) for 12 weeks, 5.5 (5.0) for 10 weeks or 6.0 (5.5) for 6 weeks. Your IELTS must be a SELT if a subscore is below 5.5 and you join the pre-sessional with IELTS or a linked CAS.
Its fees and deposits page says undergraduates who need a Student visa pay a £3,000 or £10,000 tuition fee deposit before a CAS is issued; which applies is not explained in the text read. Postgraduates also pay a deposit before the CAS.
For a Student visa, UK Visas and Immigration asks for English at CEFR B2 for degree-level study and B1 below degree level, per gov.uk. At degree level, gov.uk adds, your university can assess your English itself and may ask you to take a different test.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Royal Holloway programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Frequently asked questions
Does Royal Holloway accept PTE?+
Yes. Most degrees need PTE Academic 67, with 59, 63 or 71 in particular skills depending on the subject. Whether PTE Academic Online is accepted is not stated by Royal Holloway.
Does Royal Holloway accept Duolingo?+
Yes: 120 for most courses, with sub-score minimums from 100 to 135 by subject, and 130 for MSc Occupational Therapy.
Does Royal Holloway accept IELTS Online?+
Royal Holloway lists IELTS including IELTS Indicator. Whether IELTS Online is accepted is not stated on its English requirements page.
Can Indian students study at Royal Holloway without IELTS?+
Yes, with 70% in Class 12 English for undergraduate or taught master's study, or a degree from one of the listed Indian universities completed within three years.
What IELTS do I need for a master's at Royal Holloway?+
Usually 6.5 with no subscore below 6.0. Computer Science, Electronic Engineering and Information Security master's accept 5.5 in each skill.
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Verified against the linked official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
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